Tennis Picks 16th June 2011

Well my treble from yesterday went up in smoke thanks to Kevin Anderson's disappointing display in his loss to Grigor Dimitrov. It just highlighted the fact that some players are already losing focus with this week and looking ahead to Wimbledon which starts on Monday.

This is making it tougher to find some value and I am not sure I will be having many more picks this week after today unless I can find some sort of edge in the match ups.


Now on to the picks for today:

Eastbourne
Venus Williams - 4.5 games vs Daniela Hantuchova: Interestingly, the Women's tournament here in Eastbourne has brought in many of the big names on the WTA Tour and we have a solid looking Quarter Final to enjoy (weather permitting).

Venus Williams may not have played since January, but you would not guess it from her totally one sided destruction of Ana Ivanovic yesterday. If she continues serving as she was, it will be the elder Williams sister that will be the danger in the next fortnight in South West London.

Daniela Hantuchova is a real tough cookie to beat on the grass, but I think there is a mental block when she meets one of the Williams sisters. She has lost 10 matches against Venus and is yet to win one... I think it was also telling in the French Open that she mentioned it was only thanks to the Williams that Hantuchova had not been beyond a 4th Round in Grand Slams before that tournament.

I will pick Venus to come through in good fashion again and really send out a statement to the rest of the WTA Tour before Wimbledon.


Julien Benneteau - 3.5 games vs Igor Kunitsyn: These two will not be on double duty tomorrow as they managed to book their tickets into the next Round before the weather took a turn for the worse.

Julien Benneteau had a good grass court season last year, and has come through 2 Rounds here this year. He lost to Michael Llodra last week in London, but did make the Quarter Finals here in Eastbourne last year.

Igor Kunitsyn has negotiated 2 Rounds here, but has shown almost no grass court form before. His serve is a weakness and he allows opponents too many chances to hurt him.

Both players have shown little form this year, but I think Benneteau has too much for Kunitsyn and will improve his 2-1 head to head record.


MY PICKS: Venus Williams - 4.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Julien Benneteau - 3.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)


WEEKLY UPDATE: + 4.13 Units (- 1 Unit yesterday)